Facts:Pedestrians are most vulnerable road users and collisions with motor vehicles often result in serious injury or death. While pedestrian/vehicle collisions represent 4% of total collisions in Oakland, pedestrian fatalities comprise 39% of the total number of traffic fatalities in the City of Oakland. This figure is three times the national average of 13% (Alameda County Congestion Management Agency 2001). These numbers may be explained in part by Oakland having more pedestrians than other cities.

The following data are primarily from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), a database of collision records collected by local police throughout California and the California Highway Patrol (CHP). While useful for locating problem areas, collision maps tend to highlight those areas where large numbers of people walk. For example, areas like Chinatown and International Boulevard have high pedestrian volumes and high numbers of pedestrian collisions. In contrast, collision maps do not identify those areas where people avoid walking because they are perceived as too dangerous for pedestrians. Reference Information: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/oakca1/groups/pwa/documents/report/oak025014.pdf

Driving Tips to Improve Pedestrian Safety:• Slow down• Look out for others• Don’t drive distracted• Obey traffic laws • Share the road• Don’t phone or text while driving• Don’t drink and drive• Be alert making right-hand turns• Yield to pedestrians when turning• Look out for pedestrians at crosswalks• Don’t block crosswalks• Slow down at crosswalks• Don’t pass cars stopped for pedestrians • Be alert near school zones• Use extra caution when children are near roadways• Check behind you before backing up• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks• Come to a complete stop at STOP signs• Be cautious around older pedestrians• Scan the sides of the road for pedestrians